Andhra Pradesh High Court
Judges : MOTILAL B.NAIK, R.S.MISHRA
Madanamma - Appellant
Versus
Singareni Colleries Co.Ltd., rep, by its Chairman and Managing Director, Kothagudem, Khammam Dist. - Respondent
Decided On : 09-02-95
Transfer of Suit - Jurisdiction - Declaration of Legal Heirs - Suit for Succession
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought transfer of a suit for declaration as to the legal heirs of a deceased individual from one court to another, arguing that the cause of action did not arise at the original court's location.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that part of the cause of action did arise at the original court's location, and that the petitioner's convenience and the respondents' residence could not solely determine jurisdiction. The court dismissed the transfer petition but directed the lower court to expedite the disposal of the suit.
Issues: Jurisdictional transfer of suit, nature of relief sought, convenience of parties
Ratio Decidendi: Jurisdiction is determined by the nature of relief sought, not solely by the convenience of the parties. Part of the cause of action arising at the court's location is relevant to jurisdiction.
Final Decision: The transfer petition was dismissed, and the lower court was directed to expedite the disposal of the suit.
( 2 ) IT is stated that the said suit is one for declaration as to the legal heirs of the deceased Odelu who was said to be an employee of Singareni Collieries. Along with the petitioner, her two children are also parties to the said suit.
( 3 ) PETITIONER now contends that the cause of action has not arisen at khammam and therefore, maintenance of the suit at Khammam is without jurisdiction and, necessarily the suit has to be transferred to the place where the petitioner is staying i. e. , Asifabad, Adilabad District.
( 4 ) IT should be remembered that the suit is for a declaration to be the successor to late Odelu. When once a suit is filed for declaration as to be the successor, that suit could be filed by the party whereever he/she resides.
( 5 ) ADMITTEDLY, respondents are residing at Khammam. Therefore, I am of the opinion that part of the cause of action, though not entire, arises at Khammam and in this view of the matter, the submission that no cause of action had arisen at Khammam for filing the suit and, therefore, the suit has to be transferred to asifabad Court in Adilabad District, is improper. On the basis of the arguments, it looks to me that the petitioner probably is a resident of Adilabad District and feels convenient to contest the matter at Adilabad District. Parties convenience alone cannot be looked into in deciding the jurisdiction of the Court. What necessarily to be examined is the nature of relief sought in the suit. As the petitioner is a resident of Asifabad in Adilabad District, she thinks that the suit could be tried at Asifabad. The petitioner forgets the fact that the respondents are residents of Khammam District and claim that they are the legal heirs of late odelu, who was an employee of Singareni Collieries, whose Head quarters is at khammam. Certain amounts due to late Odelu are with the employer i. e. , singareni Collieries. In this background, the respondents realising the difficulties being faced by them for claiming the amounts as legal heirs of late odelu in the wake of opposition from the petitioner, have instituted the said suit at Khammam as it is the place of their residence seeking a declaration that they are legal representatives of late Odelu and entitled to receive the amounts on his behalf. This suit is however, opposed by the petitioner by laying a contrary claim. In this background, I am of the view, the petitioner seeking transfer of suit in O. S. No. 60/92 from the court of the Subordinate Judge, Kothagudem to the court of Sub-Judge, Asifabad is improper and accordingly, the Tr. C. M. P. is dismissed. However, since the suit is of the year 1992 and the written statement has already been filed, the lower Court is directed to dispose of the said suit as early as possible, preferably within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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